Amazingly, the first definitive identification of all James Bond watch models supplied to the movies by Seiko UK was not made until this last decade of 007 history

Although Seiko hasn’t been a James Bond watch product placement partner in the movies since the mid-1980s, the last ten years have seen 007 history made for this great brand as well.

We’re talking about first-ever definitive identification of all models provided to Eon Productions by Seiko UK.

In 2009, I was given unprecedented access to personnel and documentation as part of my own original research into the question. Mark Mills was my lead contact — and the man who’d worked directly with the filmmakers, from 1977 onward. It was one of his very first assignments as a Seiko employee.

As with so many things with the world of James Bond watches, there’s all that goes into developing “the list,” and then there are the multitude of questions that go into validating it.

For example, the James Bond Seiko watches give no indication of model numbers on backs, dials, or anywhere else.

And the 8-digit numbers by which these watches are commonly referenced on the Internet, case numbers, sometimes refer to multiple configurations. So, part of my work to truly empower James Bond watch collectors interested in Seiko was to first explain how the pieces they wanted were actually differentiated.

Just over a year ago, then, I worked with Jack Forster and his great colleagues at Revolution magazine to deliver the first-ever complete history of James Bond watches from Seiko UK. (Although I still prefer the print version, you can read it here online.)

Additionally, Seiko UK was a great behind-the-scenes help with the “Bond Watches, James Bond Watches” exhibit that I guest curated for the National Watch & Clock Museum in Columbia, Pennsylvania.

Mr Mills personally prepared a Seiko pseudo-analogue LCD (Octopussy) for display. He also provided documentation specific to the exhibit, listing case and model numbers for all Seiko UK watch models worn by Roger Moore, beginning with The Spy Who Loved Me, through A View to a Kill.

See photo above.

In mid-September, 2010, a final watch was added to the “Bond Watches” exhibit — making it the first time ever that all Seiko UK James Bond watch models were publicly displayed together.

Special thanks to Mark Mills, Seiko UK, Jack Forster, and Revolution magazine for their respective roles in making this all possible.

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